By Seth Woods
Sam Beale, junior class representative for the student government association read from Lamentations at Thursday night’s meeting.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail,” Beale read. He encouraged students to pray and remember those in Japan that are currently facing incomprehensible pain.
The recent disasters in Japan leave Milligan students asking themselves the best way to help, if we can help in any way possible.
“I think Milligan students, faculty, and staff should be praying without ceasing,” Beale said. “It deserves all the attention we can give it, whether we can send money or give any kind of charitable donation.”
On March 11, 2011, an earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, churning up a devastating tsunami that swept over cities and farmland in the northern part of the country, according to the New York Times.
The earthquake was recorded as 8.9 on the Richter scale; it was the most powerful quake ever to hit the country. In the days that followed death estimates soared astronomically, with officials saying that more than 10,000 had died in one seaside town alone, the Times also reported.
Junior Tommy Parker is part of a prayer group, which meets every Monday afternoon. Last Monday the group prayed specifically for those suffering in Japan.
“I think that right now here in the Milligan community, one of the best things we can do for Japan is to pray,” said Parker. “We’re in college so we don’t have a ton of money that we can send overseas…our response as a Christian community is to send our response in love.”
Next week the college will be hosting its annual spiritual renewal week, where student leadership groups organize programs to encourage students to focus on matters of faith.
“I think a lot of the events should give mention of Japan, “ Beale said. “We should continue praying for all of the people Japan and hope for the best.”
The country continues to face several problems. The Times reported of explosions and leaks of radioactive gas, which took place in three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Spent fuel rods at another reactor overheated and caught fire, releasing radioactive material directly into the atmosphere, and spent fuel rods at two other reactors showed increasing temperatures.
There are many organizations accepting donations to help with the relief in Japan. Mercy Corps, a global aid agency helps areas that have experienced natural disasters.
Log on to mercycorps.org to learn more about making a donation.
milliganstampede
Tommy (14 years ago)
I know that students are taking the initiative and leading small groups in prayer around campus for Japan and Libya.